Caught within the writhing embrace of the monster's tentacles you watch as the Sand Lurker hauls itself out of its desiccated lair. It is a hideous creation, a large slug-like beast that fills the passage with its bulk; its quivering form covered in a gelatinous ooze that stinks of rotting flesh. As you fight against its grasping tendrils it moves forward, most of its body a morass of limbs and one huge gaping mouth, equipped with endless rows of razor-sharp teeth.Held firm but not yet subdued, you struggle enough to free your arm and swing your blade twice. In a frenzy of unexpected pain the Lurker flails two severed limbs, its blood splattering along the walls, sending gouts of steam and dissolving stone into the air. For a moment the beast hesitates, blind in its dark nest and unsure as to what it must have snared, but it is a hesitation that is fleeting. Out of the steaming air more of the tentacles grab at your body, latching on with powerful barbed tips that dig into your flesh, cutting deep as they find a purchase upon your bones.Screaming with pain you cut again with your blade but it is to no good effect. The Sand Lurker has you and it is not about to let you go. In one tremoring slump of sand the creature descends back into its hole, dragging you with it to a certain doom, and sure of the feast to come. In this life your quest is over, your last thoughts the earnest hope that the beast will choke on you.

This book, and its associated books and other documents in the Chronicles of Arborell series are the intellectual property of the author, Wayne F Densley, and all rights are reserved by him. Windhammer is best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution. Any questions regarding the Chronicles of Arborell can be answered by emailing the author at densleyw@shoal.net.au